Today's Headlines and Commentary

House Republicans staged a protest which caused a five-hour delay in the impeachment inquiry deposition of Laura K. Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, reports the New York Times. The Republicans forced their way into a secure room of the House Intelligence Committee, which forced an appearance by the House sergeant-at-arms.

President Trump announced that he is lifting U.S. sanctions against Turkey since the Turkish government informed the White House that it would abide by the cease-fire which Trump characterized as “permanent”, reports the Washington Post. Trump also defended his decision to remove American forces from the region.

During oral arguments before the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, a private attorney for President Trump argued that authorities could not investigate the president even if he shot someone in the street since he enjoys absolute immunity from criminal investigation while in office, according to CNN. The case involves Trump’s effort to block a subpoena from New York state prosecutors for his tax returns.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled his intent to hold a general election on December 12 and offered Parliament more time to debate his proposed Brexit deal, according to the BBC. Johnson said he expects the EU to grant a three months extension on Friday to the current Oct. 31 Brexit deadline.

Bolivian President Evo Morales declared victory in the recent presidential election, which would give him a fourth term in office. Following a controversial vote count, opposition leaders labeled the result as fraudulent and demonstrations occurred to request a second round of voting, reports the Post.

The Trump administration is beginning the process of a formal U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, reports the Times.

ICYMI: Yesterday on Lawfare

Jen Patja Howell shared this week’s episode of Rational Security, in which Benjamin Wittes, Shane Harris and Susan Hennessey discuss Amb. William Taylor’s testimony and other recent events in the impeachment inquiry.

Scott Anderson explained the significance of Amb. William Taylor’s testimony to the larger Ukraine scandal.

Mikhaila Fogel shared an edition of the Lawfare Podcast Shorts series, in which Anderson reads his analysis of Amb. William Taylor’s opening statement.

Robert Chesney and Steve Vladeck shared the latest episode of the National Security Law Podcast featuring commentary on the oral arguments Wednesday from the Trump tax returns case and Supreme Court updates.

Jacques Singer-Emery, Margaret Taylor and Jack Goldsmith further commented on the role of OMB in withholding aid to Ukraine in the wake of Mick Mulvaney’s press conference last week.

Nicholas Weaver proposed a solution, other than weakening encryption, to address the massive amount of child pornographic images online.

Andrew Mines and Amira Jadoon discussed how the capture of a deputy leader of the Islamic State-Khorasan shows the group’s expanding presence into western Afghanistan.

Emma DiNapoli, Rachael Hanna, Patrick McDonnell, Masha Simonova and Jacques Singer-Emery provided updates from the 9/11 military commissions case.

Jacob Schulz posted court filings that are relevant to December oral arguments at the D.C. Circuit in a suit filed by a Guantanamo detainee.

Gordon Ahl livestreamed a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the U.S. betrayal of Kurdish allies in Syria.

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